Obama tells Israelis to see world through Palestinians' eyes

Barack Obama shields his eyes as he looks up at a person who shouted out during his speech at the Jerusalem International Convention Centre

AFP: Mandel Ngan

US president Barack Obama has used a televised speech to tell Israelis that the Palestinian people must have the right to self-determination.

On the second day of his visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories, Mr Obama paid a flying visit to Ramallah to speak with Palestinian leaders, including president Mahmoud Abbas.

But the visit to Ramallah was in many ways a warm-up for the main event back in Jerusalem: a nationally televised speech by Mr Obama to the Israeli people about peace and an independent state for the Palestinians.

He told his audience that the status quo with the Palestinians was not sustainable.

"Put yourself in their shoes," he said.

"Look at the world through their eyes. It is not fair that a Palestinian child cannot grow up in a state of their own.

"Just as Israelis built a state in their homeland, Palestinians have a right to be a free people in their own land."

Mr Obama argued that the Jewish state's destiny and ultimate survival could never be assured without a final peace deal.

"Peace is necessary. Indeed it is the only path to true security," he said.

In Ramallah, Palestinian leaders doubted Mr Obama would bring concrete proposals for peace, and they were right.